King Says No Confidence Motions A Wake Up Call For Governments

Former Saint Lucia Prime Minister, Stephenson King, has asserted that motions of no confidence constitute a wake up call for governments.

King spoke against the backdrop of the shock vote in Guyana by Charrandas Persaud in support of a no confidence vote against the coalition administration of which he was part.

“Such situations are always wake up calls because what it says is that leaders cannot believe that they can lead in a kind of way, what we call a sort of totalitarian manner,” the former Saint Lucia leader told St Lucia Times.

“You cannot lead by just simply taking a course without consultation – without discussion or even just merely taking decisions and not at least considering the views of the general public,” King explained.

“So it is always a wake up call for all governments when motions of no confidence are posed and the reasons for presenting the motion of no confidence,” he said in an interview with St Lucia Times.

According to King, it is the the right and the duty of every MP at any given time, whether in government or opposition, to stand his or her ground based on conscience.

He expressed the view that in the case of Guyana, Charrandas Persaud, after much consideration, felt he could no longer continue to support the government because it was against his conscience.

The Castries North MP said:

“That is something we all at some stage will be called upon to do because the democracies that we are involved in work on what we call – particularly the executive, the cabinet, works on what you call collective responsibility; so even if in cabinet you may have the dissenting voice on any issue and you don’t support a particular issue.”

“Once that decision is taken by cabinet you are part of cabinet and so it is what you call ‘ collective responsibility’. You really and truly should not, on principle, go out and denounce the decision taken,” King told St Lucia Times.

“The moment you denounce the decision taken then it means that you have prepared yourself to step out and I think the gentleman (Charrandas Persaud) certainly, after much thought, much consideration and his conscience, decided that he could no longer continue to give support to his government and therefore supported the motion of no confidence and it is his right.”

In regard to the announcement by the opposition Saint Lucia Labour Party (SLP) of plans to have a no confidence motion in parliament against Prime Minister, Allen Chastanet, King noted that one would have to argue on the merits and demerits of what is presented and how the motion affects the ability of the government to deliver on its promises.

“I believe that this is one which, unlike Guyana, may not necessarily mean that a successful passage of a vote of no confidence against the prime minister means the fall of the government because you have not encapsulated the entire government into the process. So it is slightly different; but it is one which again allows MPs to speak out and air their views and stand out where necessary,” the former PM declared.

King observed that in Guyana, there was a one seat majority in the national assembly which made the successful no confidence vote ‘easy to happen’.

“One man stands his ground and votes in favour of the no confidence motion and brings down the government,” he stated.

But King noted that in many other countries the governments normally have a clear majority and not a one seat advantage.

“In the case Barbados one anticipates that there may never be a motion of no confidence or even in Grenada. But again I say the relevance of motion is to indicate the independence of MPs, even if MPs contest an election under one symbol, that MP is a single entity and can at any time stand his ground of independence,” the former PM asserted.

Well Mr. King, who are you fooling. You emerged the hand picked leader of the part and government in 2007 and was considered incompetent by your own party to the extent that they dumped you and elected even more incompetent Chastanet. You have been relegated to making a few statements now and again about small matters. We understand why you must now and again make the butt kissing remarks to appear relevant and secure your job.

I will not let anything stop my design for your days. Ask boldly for whatever arrows come, I will deal with it. I will make all things new, so get ready, I have spared you from the things that would cause you harm. I am using your past to push you forward. What you went through will propel you in the next. Take a survey of what has been eliminated. Choose to get up and press on, many will love you today and hate you tomorrow. Many will be a stumbling block to you in what is to come. Many complain but will not do anything to make a change. I am clearing the field, do not miss your appointed time for being away from your post. You excite me so greatly, you are my carrier of glory.
People will be changed to who I send you. Greater is before you than anytime in history. The days of getting by being lukewarm is about to be changed. If your words lack love then you become a clinging symbol. What was waken up against my kingdom has become ash. Do not spend your time in worldly mind-sets but you must forget the lesser mind-sets. You will surrender you pride to me as long as you are in the flesh. You were removed, not rejected, your prayers are always in my ears.
You will be who you were called to be, I’ve got you right where you are safe. You will be delighted in my way. I am raising up prophets who are broken before me, I am about to lift the lid-off, I will blow through the churches, all will be filled like it has never been.
My children, you must realize that a new world is coming. Those who serve him, and betrays him will be killed. A new leader is coming on the scene, he has been sent to kill, steal and destroy, you will hear about him in the news. I alone can hide you where no man can see you. My Angels shall travel with you and remember that I am with you always even unto the end of the world. And I await your home coming to me. Some of my people who have labored long and hard for me, are coming home soon. A fiery war is coming and my people are not ready for what is coming. The battle is raging and the time is short. The oceans roar at my command.

We need a Yellow Vest movement here. This is one thing we should’ve taken from the French that we did not. Stand up for your rights and protest. We are like beggars in this country. Begging politicians for the mere basics. Ridiculous.

King, Sir John tried to make you a leader but you’re a follower. Only Sir John would give you a chance like this. The five years you were out of office what did you do for a leaving??? Haahaahaa. be careful with what you say next time you out of office you will surely be scratching your but!!!!!

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